I'm on "vacation" this week. My original plans involved a family trip to the Netherlands. A week of visiting tulip fields, windmills, and historic museums. Well, lo and behold, like many things these days, those plans had to change. I still wanted to do something special with my week off though.

All these online yoga classes are reminding me of when I launched an online yoga space in 2018. That was such an exciting time and steep learning curve for me! During that time, I made video tutorials for my students. I want to share those videos with you today. Online yoga is becoming popular as a self-care practice while social distancing. I hope you'll find these videos helpful as you explore online yoga for yourself:

I made the yoga props video this past weekend. I taught a restorative yoga class online to a group of my fellow physicians. Yoga props are so helpful for restorative poses. So, I created that video as a resource for you to have easy ways to make yoga props at home. I hope you find these videos useful!

Also, you may have noticed that I no longer offer an online weekly schedule of classes. I'm still available to teach private (individual or group) online yoga and meditation. Contact me if you're interested!

One of the first questions people ask when starting out their yoga practice is, “What type of mat should I buy?” With so many types of yoga mats out there, and so many different styles of yoga, it can be hard to know! I found this great guide that breaks it all down for you. The folks who wrote this guide did a lot of research to help you pick the best mat for your needs. I love that all the mats they tested are eco-friendly and non-toxic. Personally, I plan to invest in the Tranquility Essentials cork mat as my next mat purchase. They say it’s a bit heavier than the other choices, but I like its eco-friendly rating and natural cork material. For studio practice, I’ll stick with my personal favorite that I've used for the past 9 years, the Jade Harmony mat.

Now, this article is cool because it also dives into a bit of the history of yoga mats. The idea of using a yoga mat is a relatively new concept. Ancient yogi’s didn’t use mats at all! They practiced in nature. Over time, people started using cloth rugs to practice on. Yoga practice used to be more about the seated practice, like meditation. Your modern yoga practice involves a lot more movement, poses, and let’s face it, sweat! That’s where these sticky, rubber mats came into play. To help prevent you from slipping and sliding during your practice. The problem is that many of the mats today use toxic chemicals. And, who wants to get all sweaty while doing something good for yourself on a toxic mat? Eek!

That’s where this guide comes in handy. They sent all the mats to a special lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan to test the materials. I’m interested to hear your thoughts after you read this guide. What’s been your favorite yoga mat? How has the info in this guide made you think differently about yoga mats? Leave a comment below and let me know!

You're a week into the new year and wondering how to keep up with your yoga practice! Well, today, I'm sharing a 2-minute yoga practice that you can do anywhere. Ok, not in your car. But, almost anywhere else!

I recorded this video on the beach in Florida last year. In less than 2 minutes, you'll learn a practice that you can do everyday.

I went to one last night and have another one next week. Then, of course the actual holidays and New Years after that. Not to mention my birthday is this month and three of my closest friends have birthday’s this month too! So, I know what it’s like to over-indulge this month with sweets, desserts, and yummy holiday food. That’s why I’m sharing two tricks from Ayurveda to help you digest all that delicious holiday food!

These practices are for after you’ve already eaten the heavy meal. You may be feeling heavy, slow, and dull from the meal. So, here are two awesome things you can try:

Rest on the left side of your bodyThat’s it. Super simple. Lay down on the left side of your body for about 10- 20 minutes. Take a little nap or siesta! The key is laying down on the left side of your body. According to Ayurveda, that will help you digest your food.

Sit in a yoga pose called Vajrasana or Thunderbolt poseTo do this pose, you sit on your heels. Keep reading or watch the video to learn this pose. Bend your knees with your feet behind you. Then, sit back on your heels. If you have tight ankles, you can grab a block or cushion. Lift your hips off your heels, scoot your feet apart, and slide the block or cushion between your feet. Then, sit your hips down on the block or cushion. Sitting in this pose for few minutes will help you to digest your meal.

Today, I’m going to show you another pose that’s great for the fall season! It’s also great any time of the year if you’re working on re-aligning a vata energy issue. What’s a vata energy issue? Ayurveda describes Vata as the energy of Air and Ether. If you know your Ayurvedic constitution, then you know if you have a high level of vata energy. If you have no idea what I’m talking about when I say “vata issues,” no worries! For today’s blog, know that this is a great pose for the season no matter your underlying constitution. And, you can check out my library of Ayurveda blogs anytime to get more info on Ayurveda!

For today, let’s dive right into the pose! It’s called Reclined Pigeon and is a great stretch for the hips. This is what makes it such a great pose for the Fall. The Vata energy that governs the Fall season is also related to our hips. That means the energy of the season has the potential to affect your hips (joint pain, stiffness). Depending on the variation you choose to practice, reclined pigeon is also a great pose for digestion. Experience is the best teacher, so let’s do it together! Follow along here, or watch the video:

Lay on your back

Bring the soles of your feet down to the Earth and then draw your right knee into your chest.

Open your right hip out to the side so that your right ankle comes to the top of your left leg. Flex that right foot to protect your knee. You might already be feeling this stretch in your right hip. If so, then hold here.

If you’re looking for a deeper stretch, then continue to the next step. Note that I don’t want to you experience any pain. Listen to your body and if you’re feeling pain, then back off from the pose. You’re looking for a lovely stretch without any pain.

If you choose to, take your right arm through your legs and your left hand to the outside of the left leg. You’re bringing your hands to your left leg, drawing it into your chest. Keep your left foot flexed. You want to keep both feet flexed here to protect your knees. In this variation, you are causing a slight compression of your abdominal cavity. This aids in digestion.

Pay attention. Are you noticing any sensations in your body? Let go of judgement and notice how your body feels in this pose. Hold the pose for 5-10 breaths before moving onto the other side.

​Leave a comment and let me know how you enjoyed this pose! Any questions or challenges? Let me know of that too!